"Ughhhh... Damn"
It was 7:30 in the morning, the weather was fair, sky overcast with clouds, but the room was dark.
I live on the second floor of a wood-walled, two-story rental. My parents run a salon on the first floor. The house was an average sized house that cost around 100,000 yen.
"First day of high school..." I sighed, looking at the mirror, swiping my messy bangs up.
The fog gradually appears, covering the mirror. The bathroom was still humid from the shower I'd taken this morning.
I walked out of the house, closing the door behind me. I carried my backpack with one strap, heading to school.
"That's weird... it's definitely not that far when I walked past the school yesterday." My posture began to slouch, dragging my feet on the pavement.
I looked at the weather, it was bright— brighter than my morning eyes when I woke up.
"Why is this material in a high school uniform!" I pant, looking at the clothes that I wore, it's a mixed cotton fabric— the kind of clothes that are hard to breathe, and hot as hell.
"Almost there" I was panting harder than ever. It looks as if I've been jogging in a school uniform since 5 a.m. At least 5 a.m. would be nice, it wouldn't be as hot as summer.
I looked in front of me, the school was up ahead, but my legs were giving out.
"I'm using a bicycle tomorrow" I murmur, showing no emotions, besides the regrets in my eyes.
"3-A... 3-A" I muttered to myself, looking for the number on top of each class. School had started, and through the windows, I could see the students sitting in their seats.
"Found it!" My hand reached the sliding door, pausing for a moment.
"High school..." I muttered.
I breathed heavily, letting out my breath as I slid open the door. Ignoring the students, I walked towards the teacher, then facing them. Their faces were all blurry, are they staring at me? Probably...
I gathered my courage, looking from front to back, my palm was sweaty as I clenched my hands.
"My name is Ren Aoyama. Hope we can be friends!" I said loudly, hoping I didn't sound too weird.
No one said anything, the classroom was silent. I couldn't see what faces they were making.
The teacher sighed and nodded, "Alright, you can sit at the empty seat there."
The seat was next to the window at the second seat, front row. I walked to the empty seat, expecting someone to talk to me, but there was no one. Weird... but it's for the best.
The lesson continued, the same as middle school. I wasn't studying hard, but I'm trying my best at what I'm doing. Like they say, "You won't get the result if you don't put in effort."
Finally... 3 p.m. The school ended with a bell that rang from the speaker. Packing my bags, I walked down to the entrance. Looking around me, the school wasn't that bad, there was no bullying, no violence, just students being students.
"Why hasn't anybody tried to befriend me?" I muttered to myself. Ever since I came to school, sitting down as the school started, nobody was to talk to me. Am I… boring?
That aside, I put on my shoe and walk out of the school, the day is over.
Some of the students were walking out of the gate, and some had to stay late in the afternoon for their extracurricular activities. I stretched my back, ready to go home. Around me, there were groups of students chatting and having fun. I wish I had one...
As I walked out of the school gate, a girl... she looked familiar. Her black natural hair, pale skin, almost looked like the girl from my middle school. She was walking past my school, wearing a Tochi High uniform.
My leg started moving on its own as if…
I followed her, hiding behind anything that wouldn't let her notice my presence. She walked to a small bridge that crossed a shallow river.
The bridge was beautiful, pots of flowers were placed at both ends, and a tall lamp stood on the left side, in the middle
She took out a breadstick from her tote bag, breaking it into small pieces, and throwing it into the shallow river.
She looked like Aiko…
Looking at her, she was feeding fishes in the river, with a smile on her face.
I took a step forward, walking towards the bridge. The only thing on my mind was Aiko, only her. It wasn't a romantic feeling, but I'm not sure what it is either.
"Aiko!" I shouted.
She turned to my direction quickly, her body flinched in surprise. Her eyes were widened with confusion until she noticed that I was standing there.
She ran…
"W-wait" I reached my hand out.
I had no choice but to chase after her. She ran into a neighborhood with no cars driving on the road.
After making a few turns, I caught her, gripping her hands tightly, not letting go. It wasn't painful but there was redness on her arm.
"Aiko, spare me some time. I want to talk to you"
"Ok…"
We settled down in a playground that is nearby. The sun shined bright, clouds slowly covering the yellow hue, seemingly ready to rain.
She sat on the swing while I stood up in front of her.
"I'm sorry for tearing your drawing apart! I know it's important to you, but… I'm sorry!" I said as I bowed my head, looking down at the soil.
"I-it's ok. It's a long time ago. Don't worry about it." she said, standing up.
I still bowed to her, not wanting to hold my head up. I pity myself for being like that, being an idiot.
"It's really ok, Ren." she patted my shoulder gently.
I looked up, our gaze met. She was pretty… her eyes had a gentle and affirming look.
After staring for quite a moment, small droplets of rain began to drop from the clouds. I looked at the sky, the sun was covered by the clouds that turned grey.
"It's raining" I said, reaching out my hand to the falling drops.
She gave a small smile, her eyes still glancing at mine. "Yeah… See you tomorrow."
"See you" I said, waving at her walking out of the playground.
I stood still looking up at the sky, "I guess I never paid any attention to her before since middle school. "